KABUL - The Embassy of Canada in Kabul commemorated International Women's Day by hosting an event with Afghan women to provide an opportunity, especially for young women, to meet and network with other inspirational women, the embassy said on Thursday.
The Wednesday event was attended by Afghan women politicians, civil society leaders, businesswomen, women lawyers, journalists, aid workers, young women leaders, university and high school students, as well as Canadian women serving at the Embassy and in Canada's military training mission in Afghanistan.

"International Women's Day is a time to celebrate progress, reflect on current challenges and consider future steps to improve all aspects of women's lives," said Canada's Chargé D'affaires in Kabul, Shelley Whiting. "By marking this special occasion, we want to reaffirm that Canada is committed to work to improve the lives of Afghan women and girls."

She said his country's support for women and girls in Afghanistan took many forms, including ongoing dialogue with the Afghan government of Afghanistan, civil society, the UN, and other donors on their rights. "Canada is also addressing the needs of women and girls by supporting a wide range of projects focusing on health, education and human rights."

"The Embassy of Canada will continue to encourage the Afghan government, in law and in practice, to strengthen the protection and promotion of the human rights of Afghan women and girls," said Whiting. "We will continue to support Afghan women and organizations who work tirelessly to implement positive changes in the lives of Afghan women and girls. Our commitment to these women and organizations will remain steadfast."
As indicated in a recent statement by Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Rona Ambrose, Minister for Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, the central theme of Canada's post-2011 engagement in Afghanistan was to promote and protect human rights, including women's rights, the embassy said.

Yesterday's networking event was part of a series of events organized by the Embassy of Canada to mark International Women's Day and to recognize Afghan women's leadership and contributions, it added.
Earlier in the week, the Embassy hosted a special exhibit "Memory Boxes" showcasing personal displays by a group of Afghan women. Whiting in an exclusive interview to a private TV underlined Canada's continued commitment towards Afghan women and women's rights.

Meanwhile, US ambassador to Afghanistan, Ryan C Crocker extended his congratulations to the women of Afghanistan on the occasion of International Women's Day.
"The women of Afghanistan have a great deal of which to be proud. In the last ten years they have forged new ground in the continued struggle for gender equality. The United States shares the hopes and expectations of the government of Afghanistan and all its people regarding their equal rights," Crocker said in a statement.

He said they had seen consistent increases in levels of education, life expectancy, and economic opportunities over the past ten years.
Despite the progress that has been made, many challenges remain, he said, adding due to the pioneering spirit of Afghanistan's women, future generations would have more opportunities than ever to contribute to a prosperous and peaceful Afghanistan.

"On this day, and every day of the year, the American people join together to salute the continued efforts and courage of Afghan women,".
Meanwhile, Felisa Dayrud, a female US soldier serving in Afghanistan under command of NATO-led soldiers, said, although Afghan women had considerable achievements over the last ten years, still they needed to struggle for rights.
"Despite several economic and social problems, the Afghan women are upbeat about their future," she said.
She told Pajhwok Afghan News that she wanted to celebrate international day of women at home in the US, but she preferred to stay in order to spend the day with Afghan women. (Pajhwok)